Selective card index



Sept. 6, 1932. s, A, OAKLEY SELECTIVE CARD INDEX Filed Dec. 22, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 6, 1932. OAKLEY 1,876,149

SELECTIVE CARD INDEX Filed Dec. 22, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 BUI K [JUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU U [H] 000 I s 7 \dAMMMm', 4.

Patented Sept. 6, 1932 STERLING A. OAKLEY OF BOISE, IDAHO SELECTIVE CARD INDEX Application filed December 22, 1931.

i This invention is a novel selective card index, and the principal object of the inven tion is to provide a'simple and compact openended casing for holding a plurahty of sep- 6 arable superimposed cards havlng preformed registering notches or slots punched therem, with simple, novel and efiicient selector means mounted on the closed end of the casing which when properly set and operated in l the registering slots will partially sufiiciently project any card desired out of the open end of the casing so as to be readily grasped by the fingers of the operator, whereby any particular card desired may be w1thdrawn or partly withdrawn from the casing for 1nspection or other purposes; the arrangement of notches and slots being such that the w thdrawn card may be reinserted in the casmg in the same 'or in any other positlon with respect to the other cards and the selector means will always function in the same manner to subsequently project said card irrespective of its position in the pack.

-Another object of the invention is to provide a novel selector device consisting of a pair of normally adjacent fingers operatlng in the registering slots in the pack of cards, one of the pins being stationary and engaging the end wall of the registering slots, and the other pin being movable and engaging the end of the notch for a particular card exposed through the registering slots whereby 'when the movable pin is operated the notched card will be projected by the movable pin out of the end of the casing while the stationary pin will retain all the other cards within the casing in normally superimposed relation. The m'ovable pin will push u) out the desired card while the stationary pin will lock all of the other cards in the casing and keep them in place while the desired card can be drawn back and forth in the casing to any extent.

1 A further object of the invention is to provide spaced parallel division plates in the card index casing, the function of the plates being to divide or separate the pack of cards into groups, whereby the individual cards will have more freedom to slide in and out Serial No. 582,615.

of the casing as the weight of the cards is thus divided.

Other minor objects of the invention will be hereinafter set forth. I will explain the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate one practical embodiment thereof to enable others familiar with the art to adopt and use the same; and will summarize in the claims the novel features of construction.

and novel combinations of parts, for which protection is desired. In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective top view of the selective card index showing one of the cards partially projected out of the open end of the casing for inspection.

Fig. 2 is a perspective bottom view of the index and of the same projected card.

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3, Fig. 1.

Fig. 4: is an enlarged plan view of the closed end of the casing looking down upon the series of registering slots in which the selector operates.

Fig. 5 is a plan view showing the perforated end of one of the cards, detached.

Fig. 6 is a vertical section showing the selector inserted in one of. the series of registering slots, but in normal position.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 but showso ingdthe selector operated to shift the notched car As shown in the drawings, my novel card index preferably comprises a casing of rectangular plan, open at its top and bottom and along one side, said casing having parallel side members 1, and an end member 2 securely connected together. Connecting the side members 1 are a plurality of spaced parallel division plates 3, having their side edges secured in grooves (Fig. 3) in the inner faces of the side members, the spaces between the plates 3 and the side and end members 1 and 2 being adapted to receive a plurality of separable superimposed cards 4 of such size as to neatly fill the spaces, the cards being all of same size and adapted to be inserted and withdrawn from the open end of the casing. Upon the outer faces of the outermost lates 3 may be placed a legend sheet 5 covere by a 10G protecting sheet 6 of cellophane, glass, or; other transparent material, said sheets 5 and 6 being fixed in the casing or fixed upon their respective plates 3. I

Extending through the fixed parallel sheets 5'and 6 and through the plates 3 is a series of parallel registering elongated slots 7, as shown in Fig. 4, said series being parallel with the end member 2 of the casmg and the slots all being of same size and length; and opposite each slot on the legend sheet 5 may be marked indicia 8 corresponding with some particular card 4conta1ned in the casing. Each card 4 in the casing top to bottom, each slot should be marked with the same indicia 8 on opposite faces of the casing. In the particular embodiment shown the indicia 8 for the respective slots 7 are names of makes of automobiles and the names read consecutively on the top face (Figs. 1 and 4) from top to bottom, while on the bottom face (Fig. 2) the names read in the same order from bottom to top.

As shown in Fig. 5, each card 4 is provided at its inner end adjacent the. frame member 2 with a series of parallel elongated slots 4a adapted to register with slots 7 of the casing when inserted fully into the casing as shown inFig. 6, but no slot 4a is provided in the card 4 opposite its respective slot 7 and in place thereof a notch 46 (Figs. 5 and 6) is provided in the edge of the card terminating within the limits of its respective slot 7. Hence the notch 4?) for each card is exposed through its respective slot 7. The

notches 4b in the various cards 4 are neces- Y sarily disposed in difl'erent positions so as to register with their particular slots 7 The card-projecting device preferably comprises a plate 10 adapted to be moved to different positions, along the end member 2 of the frame, opposite the slot for any desired card, said plate 10 preferably having a tongue 10a adapted to be inserted between the end member 2 and a spaced bar 12 mounted upon the end member, whereby the plate 10 will be held in the same relative position on the end member 2 for all positions of the plate. Sa'hl plate 10 is provided with opposed guides 10?) for the reception of a movable slide 11 carrying a. pin 11a adapted to be entered into the superimposed registering slots 7,411, through the various sheets and cards contained in the case when the selector is positioned opposite same as shown in Fig. 6. The'adjacent end of the plate 10 carries a fixed pin 10c adapted to likewise enter said superimposed registering slots 7 and 4a, and

a spring 13 normally maintains the slidable member 11 retracted so that the pins 11a, 10c lie adjacent each other as in Fig. 6 so as to'constitute in efl'ect a single pinl When the slidable plate 11 is pushed inwardly the movable pin 11a Will engage the exposed end,-

whereby the movement of the member 11 will only move the particular card whose name appears opposite the slot in use. The card may be entirely removed from the casin g and may be reinserted in the casing in the same or in any other location, but will always be projected when the selector pins 100, 11a, are inserted in its respective slot 7, regardless of the position of such card 4 in the pack by reason of the fact that its notch 46 will always register with its respective slot 7, unless the card 4 is turned over when reinserted in the casing.

Obviously a card 4, after once being removed from the casing, would not be properly projected if the card were turned over, and for this reason the printing, lettering and lining on one face of the casing and on its cooperating side of each card is of the same color, but the colors for, opposite sides of the casing and cards are made contrasting to insure replacement of the card in the casing with its proper face uppermost. I preferably use red lines on the one side and green on the other and the card should always be inserted in the casing so that the green lined side will cooperate with the green lined face of the casing. Any combination of colors, marks or numbers however may be used.

In the embodiment shown each of the cards 4 contains information regarding certain parts of its particular make of automobile, and the cards 4 may be lined as shown at 40 in Figs. 1, 2 and 5; and the legend sheets 5 of .the casing, adjacent the open end, may be also similarly lined as at 5a so that when the card is pulled partially out of the easing as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the makers number of some particular part of the automobile will be shown on the card in the vertical column under the particular model automobile opposite the denoting legend on the legend sheet 5 which legend sheet 5 on the top face of the casing (Fig. 1) is indexed to cover various parts of the generator, ignition distributor, or other parts of the automobile, while the legend sheet on the bottom face of the casing Fig. 2) is marked to enumerate parts of the starter motor, carburetor, fuel supply or other parts of the automobile.

The cards 4 are thus lined as at 40 to register with the linings 5a of their respective legend sheets 5, and moreover the cards 4 ma be vertically lined as at 403 to denote difierent year models of the particular make of automobile, and the makers numbers of -the particular parts may be readily ascertained at a glance by partly withdrawing the card from the casing and reading the number opposite the legend sheet.

The middle section of the legend sheets may contain general information which will vary for different models of the particular, which legends may be given encircled numbers 56 corresponding to the encircled numbers 46 on the articular cards 4.

In order to acilitate reading and alining the lines onthe cards 4 with those of the legend sheet 5, the legend sheets 5 may be provided with notches 50 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 opposite each of the heavier parallel lines 5a; and furthermore, to facilitate reading I preferably alternate a heavy line with .a light line on the sheets 5 and cards 4.

The division plates 5 divide the weight of the cards 4 in the casing so that the cards may 5 more freely slide back and forth. The slots 7 in the casing and also slots 4a in the cards may be punched any desired length so that the cards 4 may be moved by the selector 11 an amount to suit the particular requirements.

In operation: To find a generator part number for a 1930 Buick, insert the selector pins 100, 11a which are secured to the plates 10 and 11 into the Buick slot 7 then press the slide 11 inwardly so that it travels against the tension of the spring which is attached thereto and then release the slide. By this operation the Buick card 4 will be pushed out of the'end of the casing a sufficient distance to permit same to be grasped by the hand and pulled out quickly to the desired model column, and the correct makers numher for a part on that particular model of automobile can be readily ascertained by reference to the legend sheet 5.

My novel selective card index may obviously be modified to suit various other businesses or the like.

I claim:

1. In a selective card index, a casing comprising top and bottom members, with registering slots extending through said members; superimposed cards separably movably mounted in the casing; each card having a notch adapted to register with one slot so as to expose the inner end of said notch; and each card having slots adapted to register with the remaining slots in the members; the notches in the various cards registering with different slots in the members; and means adapted to enter the slots and engage the notches and shift the related card.

2. In an index as set forth in claim 1, spaced plates in the casing between the top and bottom members segregating the super- 5. Ina selective card index, a casing comprising top and bottom members, with a series of registering slots extending through said members; a plurality of superimposed cards separably movably mounted in the casing; each card having a notch adapted to register with one of the slots in the members, with the inner end of the notch exposed through said slot, and each card having a series of slots adapted to register with the remaining slots in the members; the notches in the various cards registering with different'slots in the members, and means adapted to enter the slots and engage their respective notches and shift the related card while looking all the other cards against movement. 6. In an index asset forth in claim 5, spaced plates in the casing between the top and bottom members segregating the superimposed cards into groups to divide their weight.

7. In an index as set forth in claim 5, indicia on the top and bottom members adjacent each slot to denote the particular card whose notch is exposed through said slot.

.8. In a card index as set forth in claim 5, said means comprising a plate movably mounted on the casing over the series of slots, a pin on said plate adapted to enter a slot and engage the end wall thereof, a sliding member mounted on the plate; and a pin on the sliding member adapted to enter the said slot and to engage the inner end of the notch when the member is moved.

9. In a selective card index, an open-ended casing having top and bottom members, with a series of registering slots extending through said members; a plurality of superimposed cards adapted to-be separably inserted in and withdrawn from the open end of the casing between said members; each card having a notch in one edge adapted when the card is inserted in the casing to register with one of the slots in the member with the inner end of the notch exposed through said slot, and each card having a series of slots adapted to register with the remaining slots in the members; the notches in the various cards registering with different slots in the members; and selective means adapted to enter the slots and engage their respective notches and move the related card out of the end of the spaced plates in the casing parallel with and 7 between the top and bottom members scgre gating the superimposed cards into groups to divide their weight.

11. In an index as set forth in claim 9, in-

dicia on the top and bottom members adjacent each slot to denote the particular card whose notch is exposed through said slot.

12. In an index as set forth in claim 9, registering linings'on the cards and on the casing top and bottom members for co-relating information, the lining consisting of alternate light and heavy lines, and the edges of the top and bottom members having notches at the ends of the heavy lines. a

13. In an index as set forth in claim 9, reg istering linings on the cards and on the easing top and bottom members for co-relating information, the linings on opposite sides of the cards and members being of contrasting colors. and the linings consisting of alternate light and heavy lines; and the edges of the top'and bottom members having notches at the ends of the heavy lines.

' 14. In a card index as set forth in claim 9,

said selective means comprising a plate mov ably mounted on the casing over the series of slots; a pin 011 said plate adapted to enter a slot and engage the end wall thereof, a sliding member mounted on the plate; a pin on the sliding member adapted to enter the said slot and to engage the exposed end of the notch when the member is moved; and

means for normally maintaining the pins closely adjacent.

. 15. In a selective card index, an openended casing comprising top and bottom members, side members, and one end member,

said top and bottom members having a series of registering slots extending therethrough parallel with and adjacent the end member;

indicia'on the top and bottom members adjacent each slot to denote the particular card whose notch is exposed through said slot.

18. In an index as set forth in claim 15, registering linings on the cards and on the top and bottom members for co-relating information, the lining consisting of alternate light and heavy lines, and the edges of the top and bottom members having notches at the ends of the heavy lines.

19. In an'index as set forth in claim 15, registering linings on the cards and on the top and bottom members for co-relating information, the linings on opposite sides of the cards and members being of contrasting colors, and the lining'consisting of alter;

nate light and heavy lines; and the edges of the top and bottom membershaving notches at the ends of the heavy lines.

20. In a card index as setforth in claim 15, said selectivemeans comprising a plate movably mounted on the end member over the series of slots, means for maintaining the plate in fixed relation'to the series; a pin on said plate adapted to enter a slot and engage theadjacent end wall thereof, a sliding member mounted on the plate; a pin on the sliding member adapted to enter the said .,slot and to engage the exposed end of the notch when the member-is moved inwardly; and means for normally maintaining the pins closely adjacent. r

21. In a selective card index, a casing having one end open, a seriesof cards in the casaplurality of superimposed cards adapted to be separably inserted in and withdrawn from the open end of the casing; each card having a notch in its inner edge adapted when the card is inserted in the casing to register with one of the slots; with the inner end of the notch exposed through said slot, and

each card having a series of slots adapted to register with the remaining slots in the members; the notches in the various cards registering with different slots in the members; and selective means adapted to enter the slots and engage their respective notches and move the related card out of the open end of the casing while locking all the other cards in the casing.

16. In an index as set forth in claim 15, spaced plates in the casing between the side members segregating the superimposed ,cards into groups to divide their weight. I

17 In an index as set forth in claim 15, 

